Eddard I
Eddard Stark hung his head low as he walked out of Robert's Chamber, he put his hands behind his back to avoid punching anything in anger. Looking up, he noticed Lord Renly walking towards him.
"So, he made you Protector of the Realm…" Said Renly, somewhat… Disappointedly.
"Yes, yes he did." Replied Ned, he could tell that Renly was planning something, he was predictable. "She won't care..." Renly started, "Give me a few hours and I will have 100 Swords at your disposal."
"And what will I do with a hundred swords?"
"Strike! While the castle sleeps! Get Joffrey away from his mother and into our custody, Protector of the Realm or no, whoever controls the king controls the kingdoms!"
Eddard thought to himself for a moment, 'it wouldn't be honorable…' Those were the words that echoed through his head, he knew Renly, he knew that he wanted to be king and he knew that he would keep his word. But… He had made his mind, No! No he hadn't… It was time to stop being honorable, it was time to start making smart, not honorable choices…
"Yes…" Said Eddard, "A good plan, I will prepare my Household Guard…"
"Very good," replied Renly, "She won't suspect you if you bend the kne-"
Ned interrupted him. "I will not bend the knee to Joffrey…"
"Yes you will…" The young pretender snapped, "They will have your head by the morning if you dont…"
'He may be young...' Thought Ned, 'But he is clearly not stupid.'
Ned proceeded to alert his household to replace all furniture and personal effects, he told the girls that they would be staying, to Sansa's delight.
He told his squire, a young Redwyne who was staying in the capital, to sharpen and clean Ice. He even commissioned a new breastplate from the armourer he visited earlier in his 'investigation...'
After a few hours of work Ned had finally made the decision to bend the knee to Joffrey. Just as he went to leave the Tower of the Hand the door opened, giving way to Littlefinger, the quirky man made his way to Ned's desk… "My Lord Protector…" Baelish said with that deceivingly soft voice. 'Lord Protector...' The words still rang in Ned's head, he was Lord Protector, he could do whatever he wanted yet he didn't use his power. No doubt this was what Littlefinger was here to suggest.
"The king has no trueborn sons…" Ned began, "Joffrey and Tommen are Jamie Lannister's Bastards…"
"So… When the king dies…"
"The throne goes to his brother, Lord Stannis."
"Unless…"
"Unless we install Lord Renly as king"
The words stuck in his mouth as he said them, he knew it wasn't the right thing to do but it was the smart thing to do...
Baelish suddenly began talking again, "an interesting plan, Lord Eddard, but how exactly can we do that?"
"With the City Watch… The queen has 12 knights and 100 Men at Arms, I have 25 Men in my Household Guard and Lord Renly has promised 100 Swords, this is still not enough… We will need the Goldcloaks…"